Family: Papilionidae, Swallowtails view all from this family
Description 3 3/8-5 1/2" (86-140 mm). Very large. Long, dark, spoon-shaped tails have yellow center. Dark brownish-black above with 2 broad bands of yellow spots converging at tip of FW. Orange spot at corner of HW flanked by blue spot above; both recur below, but blue continuing in chevrons across underwing, which also has orange patch. Otherwise, yellow below with black veins and borders. Abdomen yellow with broad black midline tapering at tip; notch on top of abdomen near rear. Thorax has yellow lengthwise spots or stripes.
Similar Species Thoas Swallowtail smaller and paler, 4th yellow spot from bottom on FW margin larger, no notch on top of abdomen. Schaus' Swallowtail smaller, with longer, thinner tails.
Life Cycle Mature caterpillar, 2 1/8-2 3/8" (54-60 mm), brown or olive, resembling large bird dropping, with dirty buff patches and saddles and usually red scent horns; feeds on various citrus trees (Rutaceae), including common prickly-ash (Zanthoxylum americanum), hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata), and rue (Ruta graveolens). Chrysalis, to 1 5/8" (41 mm), mottled gray-brown.
Flight Year-round in South in multiple broods, but scarce in mid-winter. May-June and August-September broods farther north produce summer and autumn individuals unpredictably throughout range.
Habitat Sunny, open areas, forest edges, glades, roads, rivers, and citrus groves.
Range S. Canada south through U.S., east of Rockies through Mexico, and west along border into Arizona and California. More common in South and south-central states than farther north. Local despite broad tastes.
Discussion Known as the "Orange Dog" by citrus growers, the Giant Swallowtail is sometimes considered a citrus pest and is subjected to massive spraying. It is capable of flying long distances and often strays into northern and midwestern districts. Adults take nectar from lantana, orange blossoms, and other flowers. The Giant, the Thoas, and the female Tiger swallowtails are the largest North American butterflies.
